Spring-wheel



l. L. THOMPSON. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED Dsc. 9, 191s.

" Jfa'rzzey 1. L. THOMPSON.

SPRING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED DEc.9, 191s.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'arzzeg WwW/Z I. L. THOMPSON.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 9, IQIB.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

JAY L. THOMPSON, 0E HoosIoK FALLS, YNEW YORK.

SPRING-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Batent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Application filed December 9, `1918i Serial No. 265,883.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAY L. lTrtowisorna citizen Vof the United States, residing at Hoosick `Falls, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring- Wheels, of which the following is a specication.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and theV reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. Similar characters refer to similar parts iii the several figures therein.

This invention relates more particularly to the type of spring-wheels having a flexible shoe with spring-mechanism inclosed by the shoe whereby the shoe is yieldingly held in expanded form.

The principal object of the invention is to yieldingly support the tread-portion of the shoe, and to facilitate the application and removal of the shoe. y u

Other objects will appear in connection with the following` description.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view partly in side elevation and partly in central longitudinal section in a plane perpendicular to the axis, of a spring-wheel embodying my invention, showing-the spring-mechanism in position to interiorly support the tread-portion ofthe shoe.

Fig. 2 is a similar viewv showing. the spring-mechanism in` position to facilitate the application and removalofthe shoe.

Fig. V3 is a transverse section of the same taken on the broken line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the manner in which the shoe-supportingplates interengage one another. y x

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the yokelshaped washer which -prevents rotation of the spring-bolster.-

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on theV broken line 6-6 inV Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings wherein the invention yis shown in preferred form, 1 is the felly, and 2 are the spokes, comprising part of the body of awlieel, such as an automobile wheel. f

A shoe, 3, of flexible material which may be similar to the shoe of an ordinary pneumatic tire is removably mounted jupon the felly.

*- i have' shown' a ghetti are o; n. crypt a spindle, 15,

mounted upon the lfelly by means of a grooved rim, 4, in the usual manner.

The tread-portion of theshoe is interiorly supported by means of a series of plates, 5, which engage lone another by means of tongue-and-groove joints, as shown in Fig. 4,forming a substantially continuous support for the interior tread-portionV of the shoe. I

Each of said plates, 5, is provided with interiorly projecting brackets, 6, formed by the offset ends of a bracket-plate, 7, which oHset ends are secured to the respective Vshoesupporting plates, 5, by means of rivets, 8.

Coil-springs, 9, are confined under compression between the brackets, 6, of neighboring plates, 5. g

Each of the plates, 5, is yieldingly supported by means of a bowed-spring, 10, the ends. of which areA supported by a springbolster,- 11, having a shank', 12, which extends through a substantially radial'opening, 13, in the felly, 1, said bolster being capable of a rotative movement about the axis of the shank, 12.

T he bolster, 11, is formed with slidewaygrooves, 14, which receive the ends of the bowed-spring, 10, with freedom for sliding self-adjustment of vthe ends of the spring when under compression. This construction also preventsrelative rotation between the 'spring and its bolster.

-v `The bowed-spring, 10, is

pivotally connected with the bracket-plate,

7, by mea-iis of which extends outwardly through the hollow shank,12, of the bolster,

11, its outwardly projecting portion being vscrew-threaded aty 16.

Inward and outward movement of the spindle, 15, is thus accompanied by inward and outward movement of the bracket-plate, 7, and the shoe-supporting plate, 5, Vwhich movement is permitted vby a yielding of the ybowed-spring, 10.

The bowed-spring, 10, and its bolster, 11, normally extend transversely kof the shoe, as shown in Fig. 3, and the bolster is of a shape which conforms to the interior of the shoe and serves to support the shoe between the tread-portion of the shoe and the wheelbody; and at the same time the bolster when in transverse position serves to lock the beaded edges, 17, of the shoe within the side grooves in the'rm, 4.

The outer end 1S of the spindle, 15, is angular' in form adapted to receive a Wrench whereby said spindle can be rotatively moved.

The outer end of the shank, 12, of the bolster, 11, is screw-threaded to receive annt, 19, whereby said bolster is secured in fiXed relation to the felly, 1.

In use, a U-shaped Washer, 20, is interposed between the nut, 19, and thev felly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with the arms, 21, of said Washer forming a yoke which embraces the felly, as shown in Fig.V 3.

This Washer, 20, has a lug, 22, Which engages a slot, 23, in the sl1ank, 1-2, of the bol-ster, thereby preventing rotation of the bolster and serving to hold the same securely in a transverse position With respect tothe shoe.

Before applying the shoe to the rim, the several spring-bolsters and bowed-.springs are loosely mounted upon the felly in a plane at right anglesto the axis of the wheel with the plates, 5, extending circumferentially ofthe Wheel.

The U-shaped Washers, 20, are removed from the Shanks, 12, of the bolster and are turned at right angles to their normal-position so that their arms,l 21, bear upon the inner surface of the felly, as shown in Fig. 2, With the several Washers, 20, interposed between said felly and a nut, 211, fitting the screw-threaded end of the spindle, 15.

By screwing up the nut, 24, the spindle, 15, can be drawn toward the center of the Wheel compressing the bowed-spring, 10, and drawing the connected plate, 5, also inwardly or toward the center of the Wheel. Vhen the plates, 5, havel all been thus drawn toward the center of thewvheel', thereby reducing the circumference of the shoesupporting surface formed by said plates, the shoe can be readily applied to the rim and the beaded edges of the shoe inserted within the side grooves of the rim.

After the shoe has been thus applied to the rim, the nuts, 24, are unscrevved permitting the spindles, 15, and plates, 5, to be forced outwardly by the bowed-springs, 10, into engagement with the interior of the tread-supporting portion of the shoe.

The several bolsters and springs supported thereby are then rotated tovtransverse position with respect to the shoe by means of a Wrench applied to the outer end, 18, of the spindle, 15, after which the U-shaped Washer, Q0, is removed from the position shown in Fig. 2, and replaced in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the nut, 19, is screwed up to securely lock the yoke inv its transverse position.

The nut, 24, may be carried upon the screw-threaded end of the spindle, 15, for convenience if desired.

When it is desired to remove the shoe, the

plates, 5, are drawn inwardly by means of the spindles, 15, in the manner above described, and the bowed-springs, 10, and bolsters, 11, are rotatively moved from their transverse position as above described.

In the use of the Wheel, the tread-portion ofthe shoe is yieldingly supported by the plates, 5, which 1n turn are yieldingly supported by the respective bowed-springs, 10, and also by the coil-springs, 9, due to the tendency to further compress the neighboring coil-springs, 9, when one of the pla-tes, 5, is forcedI toward the center of the Wheel-, thus forcing said coil-springs inwardly to a` position Where the circumferential extent of the Wheel is less than When said coil-springs are in, normal position.

Rotation of the respectivey spring-bolsters may be facilitated should they fail to rotate readily by pushing'the bolster slightly outward Within the shoe.

The bolster, 11, is preferably caused to rotate in unison. with the spindle, 15, by suitable. engagement therewith as by means of an angular enlargement, 27 on the spindle which engages a slot,28, in the bolster While ermitting relative longitudinal' movement between the spindle. andfy the bolster.

That I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1. In a spring-Wheel and in combination, aWheel-body; a flexible shoe mounted upon the Wheel-body; plates Withinv thev shoe adapted tov interionlysupport the treadportion ofthe shoe ,bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting said plates respectively; a spring-bolster for each of the bowedsprings permitting self-adjustment ofthe ends of` thespring, said bolster andspring normally extendingtransversely of the shoe, and being rotaftively movable from said transverse position to permit application and removal of the shoe.

2. In a spring-Wheel and in combination, a Wheel-body; aA fiexible shoel mounted upon the Wheel-body; plates Within the shoe adapted to interiorly support the tread-portion of the shoe; bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting saidvplates respectively; a spring-[bolster for each ofthe bowedsprings providedz WithA inwardly convergent slideWay-grooves Within which the ends of said bowed-spring are slidably seated, said bolster andspring-normally extending' transversely of the shoe, and beingj ,rotatively movable from saidtransverseposition' to permitapplicationy and removal of' the shoe.

3. In a spring-wheel and in combination, a Wheel-body h( vingV a. felly provided With substantially radial openings; a flexible shoe mounted upon the wheel-body; plates Within the shoe adapted to interiorly support the tread-portion of theV shoe;v bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting said plates respectively ai spring-'bolster Afor each.. of vthe bowed-springs permitting self-adjustment of the ends of the spring, said bolster and spring normally extending transversely of the shoe, and being rotatively movable from said transverse position to permit application and removal of the shoe; and means extending through the respective openings in the telly for rotatively moving the respective spring-bolsters and Ibowed-springs.

4. In a spring-wheel and in combination, a. wheel-body; a -iexible shoe mounted upon the wheel-bod plates within the shoe adapted to interiorly support the treadportion of the shoe; bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting said plates respec-l tively; a spring-bolster for each of the bowed-springs permitting self-adjustment of theends of the spring, said 'bolster conforming to `and interiorly supporting the shoe between the tread-portion of the shoe and the wheel-body.

5. In a spring-wheel and in combination, a wheel-body; a flexible shoe mounted upon the wheel-body; plates within the shoe adapted to interiorly support the tread-portion of the shoe, and having inwardly extending brackets; bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting said plates respectively; a spring-bolster for each of the bowed-springs permitting self-adjustment of the ends of the spring; and coil-springs confined under compression between the brackets on the neighboring shoe supporting plates.

6. In a spring-wheel and-in combination, a wheel-body having a felly provided with substantially radial openings; a flexible shoe mounted upon the wheel-body; plates within the shoe adapted to interorly support the tread-portion of the shoe; bowed-springs for yieldingly supporting said plates respectively a spring-bolster for each ofthe bowedsprings permitting self-adjustment of the ends of the spring, said bolster and spring normally extending transversely of the shoe and being rotatively movable in unison from said transverse position to permit application and removal of the shoe; members extending through'the respective openings in the felly in connection with the several bowedsprings and spring-bolster, whereby said bowed-springs and spring-holsters can be rotatively moved from said transverse position to permit application and removal of the shoe.

7. In a spring-wheel and in combination, a wheel-body having a elly provided with substantially radial openings; a flexible shoe Vmounted upon the wheel-body; plates within the shoe adapted to interiorly support the tread-portion of the shoe; bowed-springs for yieldinglysupporting said plates respectively; a spring-bolster for each of the bowedsprings permitting self adjustment of the ends of the spring, said bolster and spring normally extending transversely of the shoe and said bolster having a shank extending through one of said openings in the felly whereby said bolster and its bowedspring are. rotatively mounted upon the telly within the shoe; and means extending through said opening in the felly whereby said bolster and bowed-spring can be drawn toward the center of the wheel and rotatively moved out of transverse position to permit application and removal of the shoe.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this lth'day of November, 1918. J AY L. THOMPSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

